Free entry to 144th annual Nowra Show this weekend

And while all the usual attractions of the show will be held, this year's event holds special significance as it will be used to bring the community together after the devastating fires that have ravaged large parts of the Shoalhaven.

And to bring the community together the Nowra Show Society has decided to make the 2020 event free.

The show will also double as a way of paying tribute and saying thank you to the many emergency services and Rural Fire Service volunteers who have battled these bushfires which are now heading into their third month.

With nearby local shows being cancelled due to the bushfire emergency Nowra Show president Mark Stewart said staging this year's event was a way for the Shoalhaven community to come together and start the rebuilding process after the recent devastating fires.

"Everyone has been affected by these fires in some way, either losing property or homes, or knowing someone who has," he said.

"And we just saw making the show free this year as a way of bringing the community, as a whole, together.

"It will also be a way for us as a community to thank the many wonderful emergency service personnel who have all done a superb job battling and continue to battle these fires."

The action gets underway on Friday morning with the dairy cattle and various horse events, including showjumping, running through most of the day. There will also be milking demonstrations in the cattle section.

The show will be officially opened around 5.30pm by Shoalhaven RFS incident controller, Superintendent Mark Williams, who has done a superb job coordinating the firefighting efforts locally.

The major Friday night entertainment will be the popular rodeo, featuring an open steer ride as well as novice and open bull rides.

Also on the schedule Friday night is the mini trots, the monster circus, Nowra Showgirl parade and the dog high jump.

Saturday morning will again see the horse events, including showjumping continue, on the main arena while the beef cattle judging will be held in the cattle area. The competition is also expected to be strong in the poultry pavillion.

One of the highlight of Saturday' evening's entertainment on the main arena will be a special parade and tribute to local emergency services.

That will be held around 9.15om and this year, with fires still burning in the Shoalhaven, will be held instead of the usual fireworks display.

A couple of RFS volunteers could even be seen riding well-known Brahman bull Charlie.

Just prior to that will be the second annual and highly popular demolition derby.

Last year's inaugural event was a huge success, with entries for the 2020 event flowing in.

Also on the schedule is the mascots and annual Nowra Athletics Club handicap race, a vintage racing car display, monster truck and monster circus shows and the RFS precision tree felling demonstration, while the Nowra Showgirl entrants will again be featured.

Of course all the favourites like the animal nursery, the poultry show including the ever popular chook washing demonstrations, the brilliant pavillion and a host of other events in and around the Added Area will also be held.

And there is also a full program of action in the woodchop arena on both Friday evening and all day Saturday.

Don't forget all the action of sideshow alley as well as a vast array of food available.

"All the traditional features of the Nowra Show will be on display as well, highlighting the importance of agricultural, horticultural, and industry to our local community," Mr Stewart said.

Even the forecast if potential drenching rain, usually the bane of show organisers, hasn't dampened the the locals' enthusiasm.

Invariably one of the local shows usually brings rain to the area and as one show official put it "if we can bring the rain, even better!"